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FURTH ER LIGHT 



AND OTHER POEMS WRITTEN FOR MASONIC OCCASIONS, 
ALSO TRIBUTES TO HIS FRIEND ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



By 



HENRY PELHAM HOLMES BROMWELL. 

( Baltimore 1823 1003 Denver ) 



Edition of Eighty Numbers. 
Copyright by Henrietta Elizabeth Bromwell. 

DENVER. COLORADO 

1920 



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"// / should, Eromwell, ever write a took 
Entitled ' Men who worthy prove of fawe', 
I ivotild the work begin with your pure name. 
Before I would to any other look; 
I'd shotu hoiv, when your country undertook 
Herself to save from going dotvn in shame. 
Yon, in her councils, to her rescue came. 
And did all opposition boldly brook. 
You I i.voidd range with honest Washington, 
With Madison, and Jefferson, and Clay, 
And Daniel Webster, that broad blazing star, 
WJio, while he shone. Secession held at bay 
You too shall honored be for what you've done. 
If ever right and justice have their way.'' 

Theophilus Van Deren. 



INDEX. 



Further Light. 21 

The Tesgelled Flour. 25 

The Ladder of Beth-el. 31 

The Lute of Isrsefel. 1 

The Sacred Rivers. 9 

The Royal Arch. 7 

The Faithful Tyler. 23 

Dirge. 41 

Dirge. (No. 2) 44 

Abraham Lincoln. 49 

Lincoln's Burial. 59 

To H. G. R. 

( On the death of his children.) 17 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 



[ From the Proceedings of the Ch-and Lodge of Illinois, 1903. p. 1^2; ] 

"Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell, Past Most Worshipful 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, (serving in 1865) 
and honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, jur- 
ist, author, and legislator. Born, August 26, 1823. Died, Jan- 
uary 9, 1903. ( Master of Charleston Lodge No. 35, 1858-59-60- 
61-S2-S3. ) 

"Brother Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell was a fitting ex- 
ample for any man to safely follow, no matter how exalted 
his station in life. He was a descendant of Puritan stock. 
He was a material factor in the formation of the laws and 
history of tv/o states of the Union, and, to some extent, of 
the Nation at large. 

"As an orator he had but few, if any equals. Some of his 
flights of eloquence before this Grand Lodge in former years, 
were marvels that ring in our ears today, and will never be 
forgotten. He possessed the superb delivery of Everett, forti- 
fied with the power of Webster; and, notwithstanding this, 

one of his conspiccus characteristics was his refinement 

humility. 

"Nor is this all. He was as good as he was grand. Of his 
Masonic history nothing need be written here. The records 
of this Grand Jurisdiction teem with his glorious achieve- 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 



nients. as do those of Colorado, where he had for so long a 
period made his home. He was like a spotless lily, standing 
by a cooling stream a source from which .to draw ev- 
ery laudable inspiration." 

[ Proceedings of the Gi'and Lodge of Illinois, 1903, p. 171, From the 
address of Brother Joseph Robbins to the Grand Lodge: ] " 

"There are few m'^n in this body perhaps not more 

than half a dozen — who remember Brother Bromwell when 
he first appeared before the Grand Lodge of Illinois. 

"Tall, straight as an arrow, with eagle eye, and hair of 
quite aboriginal blackness, talking in parables clad in quaint 

speech, fluent, yet measured as became his subject such 

is the picture which stands out in my memory of the Grand 
Orator of this Grand Lodge in 1862. 

"The same figure mounted upon a chair, alive all over, 
with tongue of fire, and the volubility of a Niagara, de- 
nouncing as treason to Masonry, and the users thereof as 
foresworn, the cypher which played so prominent a part in 
the fierce conflict which raged over the subject of work in 

the early sixties stands out as one of the dominant forces 

of the stormy convention at Bryan hall in 1863. 

"The same figure, that of the newly installed Grand Mas- 
ter, alert, prompt, decisive, but wielding the gavel with sing- 
ular moderation, and with almost over-generous recognition 
of the rights upon the floor, of those who but yesterday had 
been his opponents — is the picture my memory retains of 
the executive of 1865 and 1886. Such altogether is my recol- 



i 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 



loction of three aspects presented by the most singularly 
striking personality that has graced the presence and adorn- 
ed the annals of this Grand Lodge since its organization." 

"'Looking backward through the perspective of the fleeting 
years, at him, and his compeers, I am sure that I reflect the 
feeling of all those who were a part of the events of that pe- 
riod, when I say — there were giants in those days," 

"Failing of a renomination for Congress of which he v/as 

a member daring and after his grand mastership, he sought a 
new field for his energies in the Territory of Colorado. There 
his abilities were quickly recognized. He became a member 
of the territorial legislature, of the convention which framed 
the constitution, and of the first, and subsequent state legis- 
latures, and later was the com-nissioner to revise the statutes 
of the state: and in these capacities he left his impress all 
over the constitution and jurisprudence of the new common- 
wealth. Kis part in giving woman the ballot was so great 
that there was no one to dispute the title which he ever aft- 
erwards bore — that of the father of equal suffrage in Colora- 
do." 

"This gives you some idea of the forceful character of the man. 
His zeal for Masonry, and his love for it, knew no abatement 
with his change of residence; and v/hile he lovingly remember- 
ed this Grand Lodge that had honored him, and preserved his 
affiliation with it, he took an active part in the affairs of the 
Fraternity in Colorado. He was made an honorary Past Grand 
Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado at an early day, and 
from that day on, no annual communication passed while he 



BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 



v/as in health, that some opportunity was not found or made 
to drav/ from him an address upon the principles or symbol- 
ism of Masonry. 

"As an adviser he was a principal factor in the revision 
of their code, and was the author of their funeral service, 
containing a remarkable, original Master Masons' hymn, fam- 
iliar, probably, to but few of you, as not many copies of this 

service h.wQ found their way to Illinois a dirge which in 

its tremendous power of rhythm, language and thought, at once 
recalls the Dies Irae, one of the notable poems of the ages. 

"At its last communication during his life, the Grand Lodge 
sent a committee to his bedside with greetings from his breth- 
ren and a message of encouragement and hope. But the hope 
proved vain. Tossed by the storms of nearly eighty winters, 
his worn and frail bark slipped from its moorings, and drift- 
ed out upon that silent, peaceful sea, of whose boundaries 
we know only the hither shore. 

"Brother Bromwell's mind was of a singularly subtle cast 
and it was so many- sided that it kept him in touch with all 
the affairs of men. Tap it on any side, and wisdom flowed, 
not simply because of his quick perception, for he had that, 
but because the subject had been thought out. 

"Altogether, his was the most singularly striking personal- 
ity that the Grand Lodge of Illinois has known since its org- 
anization, 

"His mind was of that peculiar cast that he delighted in 
mysticism and symbolism. He might have flooded his tirne 



BlOGRArillCAL NOTES. 



with degrees whose rituals would have beer, worth the study of 
any man. But he was too safely anchored for that. He had too 
profound an appreciation of the value of the Masonry as defined 
and circumscribed by the landmarks; the Masonry of the Charg- 
es of a Freemason; the Masonry handed down to us in its sim- 
plicity and dignity by the fathers, to permit anything else, with 
him, to talce its place. He recognized the fact that Masonry was 
the prophet of that altruism which permeates modern society, 
the environment of Masonry, where once it only permeated the 
Fraternity itself. 

"Above ail he recognized the tremendous power exerted by a 
pattern of free representative government: — a pattern wrought 
out by the doctrine of equality springing from the brotherhood 
of man, and making Masonry a model commonwealth long be^ 
fore the enfranchising idea that governments derive their just 
powers from the consent of the governed had found lodgement 
in the world outside of the Fraternity. If I had time I would 
dwell for a moment upon the influence which the experimental 
knowledge gained in Masonry by the great men of our Revoluti- 
on, of the possibility of a free, representative government, with 
only such limitations upon the liberty of the people as were self- 
imposed— had, in shaping and developing this government of ours. 

"Brother Bromwcll appreciated this, and because this pattern 
of a government resting on the consent of the governed is in- 
wrought in the landmarks of masonry, he had held these land- 
marks as the apple of his eye; and could he have sent a last 
message to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, it would have been to 
preserve the landmarks above everything, not only because they 
are irrevocably entailed upon us, but because they embrace this 
principle of a government of men by themselves, the evangel 
and the hope of mankind in all ages to come." 



THE LUTE OF 1 S R M F E L. 



I'hiiharjnon: 

O the wond'roua things they tcli 
Of the Angel Israefel ! 
He whose heart strings are a lute: 
At whose voice the Heavens are mute; 
Singer, who, as angels tell. 
Doth all sons of God excel. 
Would that could these ears of mine 
Catch but once his strain divine ! 
All my soul would glow with bliss, 
All my life be charmed from this; 
Blessed are their cars who dwell 
Near the lips of Isrssfel. 

Israefel: 
Who is this would hear my voice ? 
Let iiis soul henceforth rejoice; 
Hail O son of mortal birth. 
Thou shalt hear my notes on Earth; 
Thou shalt feel the holy spell 
Of the voice of Israsfel. 



THE LUTE OF ISllMFEL. 

Philharmon: 
Hark! a rusVnr.g sound I hear, 

« 

Mvisic fills the ethereal sphere. 
List ! v/hat notes unheard bei'ore, 
Throug'h my inmost being- pour ! 
In the rapture of their thrill 
Breath departs and heart is still, 

'Twas the sound of Angel wings: 
Hail ! 'tis Israef el who sings ! 
O the rapture of delight, 
Who can speak its wond'rous height 
Angel, whence such marv'lous tone? 
Wherefore from thy lips alone ? 
Tell me why such transports dwell 
In the tones of Israef el ? 

Israefel: 

Know, thou mortal that the thrill 

Which doth so thy spirit fill, 

Cometh not from lip or tongue, 
'Tis the lute within me strung; 

Lute with strings of sweet accord. 
By the finger of the Lord. 

Touched with Three, and Five, and Seven, 

Cardiac symphonies of Heaven; 

This hath wrought the wond'rous spell 



THE LUTE OF ISR^FEL. 



In the notes of Israefel. 

Philharmoit: 
Would such ecstacy might flow 
From the voice of man below ! 
Would that Heaven mig-ht grant to me 
Such a lute aa dwells in thee ! 
Round the Earth my feet would haste. 
Vale and forest, field and waste 
Isles and mountains, seas and plains 
Live enchanted by my strains. 
Human melodies grow tame. 

Sirens' song-s be put to shame. 

Voices of all winds should be 

Tuned to flutes of Heaven by me; 

Sounds of waters all excel 

Concords of the Naiad's shell: 

Echoes of the glen and hill 

In seraphic rondeaus trill; 

Trees should be with passions fired. 

Birds and beasts with souls inspired: 

Human hearts delirious leap. 
Ang'el eyes with rapture weep. 

Grant me Heaven 

This marv'lous spell. 
Grant this lute of Israefel ! 



THE LUTE OF ISR^FEL. 



Israefel: 
Hold, thy heart is in the wrong'. 
Not for this is Heavenly songr, 
Seh^sh rapture thou wouldst gain. 
Triumph for thy soul obtain; 
Know that who this lute would bear, 
First, with all the joy would share. 
Know thia wond'rous gift of mine 
Is naught elde than Love divine; 
This alone hath wroug'ht the spell 
In the tones of Israefel. 

Philharmon: 

Wee is me, this voice to hear. 
Fettered in this mortal sphere ! 
Woe is me, to thus have known 
Gifts which ne'er can be mine own. 
What is life, henceforth forlorn ! 
Better had I ne'er been born, 
Would that God mine ears had cursed 
Unto deafness from the first, 
Ere I felt the charms which dwell 

In the voice of Israefel. 
Why should such a gift be given 
Unto him alone by Heaven ? 
Why should Heaven and Earth be dumb 
If but Israefel do come ! 



THE LUTE OF ISR^FEL. 

Instruments be put to scorn 
Bird and beast be left forlorn; 
Voice of man, as mine, in shame 
Echoes but his worshipped name. 
All as one condemned to swell 

Triumphs of this Israefel ! 

Israefel: 

Nay, 'tis well that thou didst hear. 
For thy sake I now am here ! 
Didst thou sigh to hear my strain ? 
Wherefore dost thou now complain ? 
Knowst thou why thy heart is mute ? 
Who forbids to thee a lute ? 
Know thou that the Lord, in me 
Wrought but that he would for thee. 
Every heart his hands have made 
Hath a lute with strings arrayed. 
Hath a lute whose strings are seven. 
Answering to the chords of Heaven: 

Yet to place that harp in tune 
Thou with Heaven must first commune. 
'Tis but love divine which brings 

Music from those hidden strings, 

Love divine whose sweet control 
Tunes the harp of every soul ! 



THE LUTE OF ISR.EFEL. 



This the Angel's song- inspires, 
■Wakes the seraphs' holy fires, 



This about thy heart hath run, 
Since its pulse of life begun. 
Holy currents to and fro. 
With its throbbing ebb and flow 
But for this, thy selfish sin. 
Filling every cell within; 
Then would mystic cords full strung 
Fill with melodies thy tongue. 
Love and wisdom in degree, 

Even as thy state may be. 
If with love thy heart abound, 
String'd with three thy lute shall sountj; 

If in wisdom thou excel. 
Five the cords that then shall swell; 

If thou art both good and wise 
Seven-fold harmonies shall rise: 
Such as those whose charms excel 

In the notes of Israefel. 

1868, 



THE 



ROYAL 



ARCH. 



THE LUTE OF ISR^SFEL. 



HE ROYAL ARC H. 



How fair the Mason's checquered floor. 

How cheerful is the rugged march 
When Friendship tiles the inner door, 

And Love completes 

The Royal Arch ! 



The quarry's toil is gladsome play, 

The noisome crypt is holy ground. 

And incense floats o'er ruins gray 

From altars in 

the desert found. 



While those who grasp the dross of Earth, 

Must strive thro' turmoil, pain and fear, 
The jewels of celestial worth 
Await the faithful 

Master here. 



TI-IE- ROYAL ARCH. 



But gain of pelf and graap of power 

Elude the living- heart's desire; 
They porish with the flitting hour. 
Consumed in truth's 

alchemic lire. 

Let discord lead her frantic march, 
And envy smite, and rage assail. 
Companions of the Royal Arch 
Walk arm in arm 

within the veil. 

The friendly heart and clasping hand. 

The wisdom of the hidden lore 
Whose lessons guide to Eden's land 
The Sons of Light 
forevermore. 



( Written for the Webster presentation.) 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



Azrael: 
Mortal, I have heard thy cry. 
If thou eeek me, here am I ! 
Wherefore hast thou called me so ? 
What the secret thou wouldst know ? 

Elkana: 
Angel of the higher sphere. 
Give me ease from pain and fear. 
Hast thou not the hidden art 
Life and pleasure to impart ? 
Here I wander sad and lone. 
All my path with tears is sown: 
Gnawing cares my heart assail. 
Pains above my strength prevail: 
Naught avails my toiling here. 
In this barren land and drear. 
Deserts spread on every side, 
Wasted streams and fountains dried, 



9 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



Fruit of vine and tig: tree fall, 
Corn and oli\e periah till; 
And the reaper's band receives 
Brambleii; oft instead v( sheaves. 
I have heard of brij^hter skies 
In a land called Paradise; 
Heard that sacred rivers there. 
Cleanse from sickness, pain and 

care. 
I would lave my wearied soul. 
Where their livint? currents roll , 
On their shores of bloom recline. 
Gather corn and oil and wine; 
Tell me Angel, thou dost know. 
Where the Sacred Rivers flow ! 

Azrael: 

Yes, I know a land that lies 
In the light of blessed skies: 
Life and health and pleasure there 
Dwell in field and stream and air; 
Winds of music fill the skies. 
With the hymns of Paradise, 
Springs of marv'lous beauty pour. 
Trees of life bloom evermore. 



10 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



Shedding Heavenly manna sweet, 

Angel's f?'uit that man may eat ; 

Flowers of holiest incense grow. 

There the Sacred Rivers flow. 

Elkana. 

Thou dost speak of Heavenly streams. 

Only seen in holy dreams; 

Those whereof the seers told 

In the mystic leaves of old; 

What are those to one like me, 

Bound in life of low degree? 

Though that blessed land be fair. 

When did mortal venture there ? 

Who v/ould thither pass must brave 

All the terrors of the grave ! 

Tell me of some land below. 

Where such sacred rivers flow, 

Azrael; 

Yes, a land is found on Earth, 

Where immortal springs have birth; 

Where all tempests cease their strife. 

And the plants yield balm of life. 

Where the quickening airs assuage 

Sorrow's pain and passion's rage; 

Flowers of healing odors grow. 

There the sacred rivers flow. 



11 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



Elhana: 

Tell me then the name of each 

How their charmed banks to reach. 

What the dangers of the way? 

Row to compass them 1 may ? 
What high mountains intervene ? 

What dark rivtrs roll between ? 

What deep ocean's billows toss 

And the deserts drear to cross ? 

What wild beasts or serpents dread. 

Guard the paths that I must tread 

Ere I yet may see and know 

Where the sacred rivers flow ? 

Azrael; 

Nay, the streams are at thy feet. 

Near thy path their ripples beat; 

All the land before thee lies, 

'Tis the same called Paradise! 

God's own garden standeth fair. 

In the East of Eden there 

Which the seers knew of yore. 

With its sacred rivers four: 

Streams by mortals such as thou 

Oft discovered then as now, 

Gihon, Pison, Hiddekel, 



12 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



And the Euphrates as well. 
One in beauty, southward streams 
Neath the sun's meridian beams — 



One whose strength resistless flows, 

To the golden sunset goes 

One v/ith silent sweep doth roll. 
Constant to the steady pole. 
Crystal clear the fourth goes on. 

To the portals of the dawn. 
One in Temverance will control 
All the passions of the soul; 

One shall Fortitude impart 

Moral strength to nerve thy heart 
One with Heavenly Prudence guide 
All thy steps whate'er betide: 
And the fourth thy heart incline 

To the Golden Rule divine. 
Bring thy selfishness to naught. 
And to Justice all thy thought. 
He who would these waters share 

Must a golden vessel bear 

Charity, the cup divine 

Turneth water all to wine: 
Only from this blessed bowl 
Canst thou drink to fill the soul, 

Purifying all within 

13 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



From the love of self r.nd sin. 
If thou taste these rivers four, 
Thou mayst find an open door; 
Those who are prepared and true. 
Enter there, as thou mayst do: 
Knockin^T thrice, for this thou must. 

Show^ing thus in God thy trust; 

Only be thou not dismayed, 
By the cherub's turning blade: 
For the Garden of the Lord 

Lies beyond the flaming sword. 

There the land thou seekeat lies. 
All its charms await thine eyes; 
There the toil and tumult cease 
And thy soul may learn of peace. 
Warmth of Love and light of Truth 

Keep thee in unfading youth. 

There the flowers shed holy air. 

Fruits of virtue ripen there 

Trees of life spread all their palms. 
Singing winds conspire in psalms. 
Streams of honey, milk and wine 

Flow for every need of thine: 



14 



THE SACRED RIVERS. 



Dews of Eden as they fall 
Shed beatitudes on all. 

Now thy feet are on the brink. 
Take this cup of mine and drink. 
Lest thou feel the flaming sword, 
Take this signet of the Lord, 
These will cause thine eyes to see. 
Gates of Paradise to thee. 
These long since had made thee know. 
Where the Sacred Rivers flow ! 



15 



• 



TO H. G. R 

[ On the death of his children. ] 



Brother, pressed with anguish sore. 
Wandering on the checquered floor. 
Halting. wea,ry, weeping lone 
O'er thy precious jewels strown: 

Let not all thy courage fail. 
Let thy fortitude prevail; 
For the Master leads not where 
Strength and faith shall fail to bear. 

Though upon thy way below, 
Joys and sorrows v/ith thee go. 
Yet the woes that bid thee mourn 
May not pass the mystic bourne. 

Though the gloom divide the light 
Still thy tessellled way is bright: 
He who laid its ashlars fair. 
Gave not any to despair. 



17 



To H. G. R 



Those, thy loved ones, passed before. 
Through the ever open door, 
By His bidding ushered in, ^ 

Past the veils and cherubim, 

Wouldst thou grieve to see them there, 
In the inner chamber fair ? 
Wouldst thou sigh to hear their psalms ? 
Weep to see the immortal palms ? 

Look, upon that sea of glass 
Never pain or sorrow pass; 
See the many mansions fair, 
And thy glorified are there. 

Tho' their earthly bloom was laid 
Where the smitten violets fade, 
Tho' the damp and silent cell 
Holds the forms thou lovedst so well, 

Couldst thou see them as they are. 
See the beauty now they bear 
Joy would call thy heart away 
Glory fill thy mortal day. 



18 



To H. G. R 



Soon, when thou, as these, shalt go. 
Other loved ones' tears shall flow. 
Other hearts with grief and pain. 
Sigh for that, thy wond'rous gain. 

Then shall light that doth arise. 
For the upright bless thine eyes. 
When thy angels hail thee in. 
Past the veils and cherubim, 

1862. 



Harmon G. Reynolds was Grand Secretary of the 
Grand Lodge of Illinois when Bromwell was Grand 
Master: he retired in 1867. 



19 



FURTHER LIGHT. 



FURTHER LIGHT. 



Hail Brothers of the Rule and Line, who work by Truth, 
and Honor's laws; 

Still striving- toward the Light divine, the dayspring of 
our righteous cause. 

The cause our ancient seers upbore, in lonely lands 
though darkest night; 

Stil! keeping in their mystic Lore, the prophecy of 
' 'further Light. ' ' 



And further Light spread Truth and Love, 'till now 
the world begins to know 

The Fatherhood of God, above, the Brotherhood of 
Man, below. 

And we, who caught their thought in part how oft 

we met, in former time. 

To search for truths their "Royal Art," had woven 
in the "work" sublime. 



21 



FURTHER LIGHT 



And oft within the dimmest lore. of ancient writ, 

we sought and found 

Some Jewel from their secret store concealed of old 

in Holy grovind: 

Concealed far those who seek aright, as that " 

Foundation Stone of yore, 

"First seen in Heaven" by Holy Light, then cen- 
tre of the Master's floor. 



And oft we met in concourse glad, to hail our chosen 
rulers all. 

And oft with spirits O how sad, to bear for some 

the funeral pull. 

And this must be, 'till all shall go. and none shall 
know that we were here, 

Yet what is lost to earth below, is treasured in that 
higher sphere. 



So one by one they passed the bourne, whence none 

returns to earthly sight 

While we await the hastening morn, which ushers 

each to "Further Light!" 



Bromwell wrots this poem as a greeting to Denver Lodge 
No. 5; Lawrence N. Greenleaf printed it in his magazine 
The Square and Compass," in June, 1899 



•23. 



THE FAITHFUL TYLER, 



THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 



THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 



Hail tx'usty bearer of the sword 

Which ever guards the Mystic door. 

We greet thee here with one accord, 

And hearts grown cordial more and more 
Since first thy hand this symbol bore. 

No sword of war or cruel hate 

But truth's own sign, which flaming turns 

Incessant to the narrow gate 

By which the wanderer returns 
To where the hidden glory burns. 

We pledge thee here with ruby wine 

And bread which true companions share; 

The bowl which flows for thee and thine 

We crown with friendship's garlands fair. 
And fruits which old affections bear. 



23 



THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 



For thee and thine let years increase, 
While plenty filla her magic horn. 
To shed thro' pleasant ways of peace. 
Beyond the Golden wedding morn. 
The precious wine and oil and corn. 

Then bear thro' time thy symbol bright, 
"Till all thy well wrought task is o'er. 

When hands which guard the ports of light 
Shall swing for thee the golden door 
Which opens on the eternal floor. 



This poem was composed for the silver wedding of 
the Gr. Tyler of Colorado, mxiny years ago, and beaut- 
ifully engrossed in India ink by the author. After the 
Tyler's death his family gave it to the Grand Lodge. 



24 



THE T E S S E L L E D FLOOR. 



THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 



THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 



AH hail ye worthy sons of Light, allied in Honor. 
Truth and Good, 

Who 'round the altar meet tonight, where we so 
oft together stood. 

Say, mind ye still the golden band, which years 
of friendship 'round us threw. 

When heart with heart and hand in hand, I walked 
the tesselled floor with you ? 



Now where our ancient tapers burn, the mystic 
gavel summons all. 

But some who went may ne'er return while 

changing moons the craft shall call. 

For some in distant lands abide,' and task and 
journey still pursue, 

Who wore your jewels side by side, and walked 
the tesselled floor with you, 



25 



THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 



Aye. long we passed togrether all, life's checqiiered 
v/ay thro* lij>-ht and gloom; 

Now met to throng the festal hall, now g-athored 
'round the open tomb. 

On some we placed the badge of trust, on some 

the cassia's branch we threw. 

Gave earth to earth and dufjt to dust, who walked 
the tesselled floor with you ! 



But yet the jewel's light shall shine, for all the 

upright, near or far, 

Who walk by plummet, rule and line, and follow 
still the blazing star; 

And still the cable wrought of old, extends the 
earthly ground floor through. 

To bind as one the scattered fold, who walked 
the tesselled floor with you. 



26 



THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 



Then fare-ye-\vyll 1 as oft I view the "lesser' 

liifhts" ascend the sky. 

The old airections burning new, shs-ll bring your 
distant circle nigh. 

Be this my prayrr. thouafh temples fail, and 

arch and altar crumble too. 

When "Judah's Lion" shall prevail, to walk the 
Heavenly floor with you. 



This greeting was written to his old Lodge at Charleston Ills.', 
he was always homesick for this Lodge; it had some brilliant 
members, Stanley B. Walker, William E. Ginther, and Horace 
Parcels being his very dear friends, all now passed away. 



27 



THE LADDER OF BET H E L. 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL. 



THE LADDER OF BET H E L. 



Salathiel: 

Ang-el with the eye of fiame. 
Known to mortals is thy name; 
Oft to them didtt thou unfold 
Wond'rous things in days of old. 
Tell me Angel, tell me where 
Rises Israel's cloud-borne stair? 

I have heard a tale of old. 
Of a marv'lous ladder told 



One whose steps are seven times seven. 
Reaching from the Earth to Heaven. 
Seen by Patriarchal seers, 
In the old and mystic years. 
Thither would I haste and climb. 
To its utmost rounds sublime: 

Step by step go up, and know 

Things of life unseen below: 

31 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL. 



Clasp descendini^ Anyrel's hands. 
Climb with their aficonding bands. 
To the empyrean sphere 

Where the jiisper walls appear 

Pass the sapphire pillars there, 
And the pearl-wrought portals fair. 
Glorious gat :5 that ever stand 

Open toward the other land 

Enter there, and be at rest 
In the mansions of the blest. 
Wherefore Angel, tell me where 
Is the place of Beth-el's stair, 

Uriel; 

Mortal, on no earthly land 
Doth this holy ladder stand. 
Tho' thou search o'er land and sea. 
Vain shall all thy labor be. 
Yet by those on mortal ground 
May its heavenward steps be found - 
Upright as the plummet's line. 
Rise its two supports divine -» — 
Love and wisdom; strong and fast — 
Types of those by Hiram cast. 



32 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL. 



Matched in harmony sublime, 

Seth beheld them in his time 

Cloud and fire, supremely grand. 
Hosts of Isrjel saw them stand. 

Still they rise, and ever thete, 
All the numbered rounds they bear, 
Three and five, and seven and nine. 

As the Sephiroth divine 

Principal of w^hich are three. 
Faith, and Hope, and Charity. 



As of old, now even so. 
Angels on them come and go: 
Only there may none descend. 
Save that some do first ascend - 
As the seer beheld them there. 



Pass they yet on Beth — el's stair. 

Salathiel: 

Tell what Angels did he see ? 
Would the same appear to me ? 
Tell me why at Luz alone 
Was this sacred ladder shown ? 

33 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL. 



Wherefore oniy then and there, 

Man hatn seen this heav'n built stair? 

Uriel: 

Ang-els three beheld he there. 
Friends of Abraham they were. 
Who on hob' mission bent. 
Feasted at the Patriarch's tent. 
Showing forth these, virtues three. 
Faith, and Hova, and Charity: 

And for purposes the same, 

Thro' the earth still went and came; 

Thro'the world, and also there, 

Up and down on Beth-el's stair. 

Salathiel: 

Didst thou not declare to me, 
None these stairs on earth may see ? 
But thou sayst they may be found. 
Yet by those on mortal ground ! 
Wherefore hast thou spoken so ? 
Who can hence thy meaning know? 
All this riddle now declare. 
Touching Beth-el's mystic stair. 



34 



THE LADDER OF BETH-EL. 



Uriel: 

If thy soul will come with me. 
Thou canst well this ladder see. 
All its form behold, and know 
How the Angels come and go. 
Only thou must tread the ground 
Which the seer by Haran found, 
Oi its stones thy pillow make; 
Choosing those that he did take; 
And thy cruise of oil prepare. 
As did he at Beth — el's stair. 

Salathiel: 

How shall I the road endure 
Till I scrip and purse procure ? 
See ! I.Ty laiment v/crn and old 
Shelters not from heat or cold: 
Tempests on my head v;^ill beat. 
Rocks and brambles tear my feet, 
I must furnish hood and cloak. 
Girdle strong and staff of oak. 
Robe of stuff for pilgrim meet. 
Cords and sandals for my feet. 
Ere I on this journey fare. 
To the place of Bethel's stair. 



35 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL, 



Uriel: 

Nay, for those who go with me. 

Neither clad nor naked be 

Those who gain that blessed land. 
Neither shod nor barefoot stand; 
Neither canst thou there, indeed, 
Poverty or riches plead. 



If to go thy heart incline. 
Gird thee with this cord of mine 
With humility and love. 
Put thy trust in One above. 
Naked knee and bosom bare. 



Thou mayst come to Beth-el's stair. 

If to sanctify thy rest. 
Oil of Love thy heart hath blest. 
If thy pillow be in sooth 
Of the chosen stones of Truth: 
Thou mayst see in vision true 
Holy things the patriarchs knew. 
Thou mayst see that ladder rise 
From the earth, to reach the skies - 



ae 



THE LADDER OF BETH— EL. 



See those beauteous angels three. 
Bringing precious gifts for thee. 
Thou mayst say upon this spot, 
God is here ! 1 knew it not ! 
This, as God's own house I see; 
This the gate of Ileaven for me — 

As thy Seer did here declare. 

Looking up 

on Beth-el's stair. 



This voem was published in "Square and Compass" 
in March, 1895, but may have been written at a muck 
earlier date. 



37 



DIRGE- 



Direful death! 

Thy guage of terror 

Spares the hearts 

Of mortals never 

Shall thy weapon 

Smite forever ? 

Who can pass 

Thy square tremendous ? 

Who confront 

Thy maul stupendous ? 

Who deliver 

Or defend us ? 
Helpless, hopeless 
In confusion. 
Face to face 
With dissolution: 
All must end 
With life's illusion.: 

41 



DIRGE. 



Righteous Judge, 

We dare implore Thee, 

Quicii and dead 

Are here before Thee — 
Wilt Thou save, 

O King of glory ? 

Thou canst 'suage 

Our desperation 

Thou Almighty 

In creation; 

So, Almighty 
In salvation! 



Hark ! th' Omnific 
Word from Zion 
See ! the sign 
Of life undying. 
Hail ! the grasp 
Of Judah's Lion I 



42 



DIRGE. 



Blessed Death ! 
Thy shrouded portal 
Opens toward 

The realms immortal 

There the loved, 

And lost, are found 

Glory be to God 

Eternal ! 

Glory to the Word 

Supernal ! 

There the capstone lost. 

Is found. 



Glory to the Love 

Supernal. 

Glory to the Word 

Eternal ! 

All by Love, the capstone. 

Crowned. 

43 



DIRGE. ( NO. 2. ) 



Wr,Q ! wo!i, for the lost 

v.- ho have gone: 
V/ho sink in she gloom of the 

infinite night — — 
The night which hath never 

a dawn; 
We shrink from their graves as they 

pass from our sight. 
To the shades whei-e our fathers 

have gone. 

Woe ! woe, for the loving 

forlorn 

The bleeding hearts riven by sorrow 

and pain. 
In dust and in ashes they 

mourn; 

And strive to recall their beloved 

again. 
From the land where our fathers 

have gone. 
44 



DIRGE. 



Joy ! joy, for the lest who have 

gone. 
They have passed from our gloom 

to the iniiiiite light — 
They hail the unspeakable 

dawn 

The Day-spring which rises o'er sorrow 

and night. 
In the Home where cur fathers have 

gone, 

Joy ! joy, for the loving and 

lorn 

For the ashes and dust unto them 

shall be given. 
The wine, and the oil and the 

corn 

The bleeding hearts never again shall 

be riven. 
In the land v/here our fathers have 

gone. 



The two dirges given here were among his last productions; 
composed, for the Burial Service of the Grand Lodge of Colora- 
do, about 1895. 

45 



ABRAHAM 



L I N C O L N. 



BR A HAM LINCOLN. 



Gone are the days of his glory, 

Days when the multitude listerxed. 
With Senates in wisdom assembled, 

Vv''ords of the leader to hear. 
Fallen is the chief; and his mantle. 
Cast on the choice of his people. 
Presses like Saul's heavy armor, 

None of the striplings might bear. 



Nay, 'tis the day of his glory 



Gone but the Senates that listened 

His is tlie day of humanity. 

Rising henceforth to its fullness 

Now doth its brightness draw near; 
Some may be rulers of senates. 

Some rule the turbulent present 

He shall be master of ages. 
Sending the voice of his presence. 

On thro' the ports of the years. 

49 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Death, when he smiteth the jrreatest, 

Pauiiss till Earth shall take notice 

Waits till the hearts of a nation 

Bleed at one stroke of hia hand. 
Death, eie he smote him, the greatest. 

Paused till the world had elected 

Held the dread blow, till a nation 

Quailed at the sweep of his brand. 



Death, in thy harvest unceasing. 
Where dost thou garner thy reapings? 
Hast thou a place in thy keeping 

Where thou dost treasure thy sheaves ? 
Death, in thy harvest unceasing. 
When thou hadst smitten the chieftain, 
Didst thou not pause with thy reapers 
Until thou hadst fitted a casket 

Worthy such spoil to receive ? 



50 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Death, in the sheaves of thy quiver, 
Hadst thou no shaft to be wielded, 
Save by the red hand of murder. 

Stained with the blood of all crime ? 
Hadst thou of all thy grim ministers 
None that would serve at thy bidding. 
Save this foul demon of murder. 

Damned with the curse of all time ? 
Saving fell murder and treason. 

Shaming- all hell with their crime? 

Vv'el! might a nation in trembling. 
Ruler and captain and people, 
Aged and stripling assembling. 

Walk in the sorrowing train ! 
Walk with the badges of sadness. 
Walk to the semi-toned wailing. 

Poured in the funeral strain: 
Strain which all instruments sounding 
Caught from all spirits surrounding 

Tones of all anguish and pain. 



51 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Slowly, mournfully, bear him 
On. by the river and highland. 
On, by the field and the homestead. 

On, by the forest and plain; 
Komesteads of freemen, his fellows. 
Field;: of their labors and glories, 
River and highland and forest. 
Spread for humanity's empire. 

Liberty's ample domain. 



Slov^ly, mournfully, warriors. 
Cast ye the brotherly token — 



Brave was the spirit and noble. 
Firm was the arm that is broken, 

Warm was the heart that is cold- 
Slowly, mournfully, sages. 
Heap ye the dust on his bosom; 
Dust that was form of your master, 

Now shall the sepulchre hold. 



52 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



Mournfully, slowly, philanthropists. 
Set ye the stones of his sepulchre — 
Plant, all ye friends of humanity. 

Evergreens round him and o'er: 
Lost have ye t )ilers and friendless. 

Brother and champion and more 

Slowly, silently, mournfully 

Backward all from his presence 



Leave him to rest while his country 
Waits^at his feet evermore. 



Oak, do thou guard well his resting. 
For thou art noble and mighty, 
And thoa dost buffet the tempests 

As he did buffet the storm. 
Pine, cast thy shadow above him. 
For thou over-towerest thy fellows. 
So did he tower among others. 

Such were his spirit and form, 



53 



ABRAKAIa LINCOLN. 



Vine, do thou twine round his headstone. 

For thy rich spirit brings gladness 

So did the light of his presence 

Crown with thy clustars his tomb: 
Rose, do thoa bend o'er his bosom. 

Ever thou sheddest sweet odors 

Such did the bloom of his virtues 



Shed o'er his heart thy perfume; 
Violet, shine at his footstone, 
For humble and pure is thy bloom. 



Death, v/hen thy harvest is ended. 
When thou thy spoil must surrender, 
Wilt thou not wrestle with Michael, 

Even as that spirit of old 

Wrestle with strength for him also. 
Even as the spirit of Evil 

Wrestled for Moses of old? 
Yes, but thy hand must deliver 



54 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



All from thy grasp shall the Giver 
Take, both the least and the greatest: 

Naught of thy prey shalt thou hold 
This though thou clasp to the latest, 

Still shall come forth from thy hold. 



Slowly, mournfully, bear him 
On to the hill everlasting 



Where it looks forth to the day-spring. 

Proud and serene as his fame 

Looks o'er the green-vested prairies, 
Broad as his boundless benevolence. 

Calmly serene as his fame; 
There w^ith his people before him. 
Statesmen and patriots lower him: 
Well may ye bend o'er the ashes, 

Who walked in the light of the flame. 



55 



L I N C O L N' S 



BURIAL. 



L I N C O L N' S BURIAL. 



They laid him in the low-arched tomb, 

Between the brook and curving hill. 
The slender oaks stand silent all, 
The sunlight and the shadows fall. 
Around him sweet and still. 



The brook a tale, in symbols told. 

Repeats along the winding dell 
The story of his humble birth. 
The constancy and manly worth. 

Which made him loved so well. 



59 



LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 



The May flowers g-ern the circHng crest. 

As jewels of his martyr crown; 
Or like fond eyes with tear-drops dim. 
The human eyes that weep for him. 
Their azure disks look down. 

Where hundreds of his people sleep 
In nameless sepulchres around, 

'Tis well that he who loved them best. 

The Shepherd with his flock should rest. 
In that secluded ground. 

O tiny stream of all on Earth, 

Mayst thou with melodies draw near ? 

O simple flowers, of all that shine 

Were ye alone ordained to twine 
A garland for his bier ? 



60 



LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 



O. holy hours, pase stilly o'er 

That silent city of the dead I 
That angels catch the softest sigh. 
Of Pilgrim mourners kneeling by 
The Patriot-Martyr's bed. 



Note: 
The first of these two poems was written soon after Lincoln's 

death, and appeared in the Washington Chronicle, and later in 
other papers. The last poem was composed after the entomb- 
ment, and was published in papers of the date, and lately, with 
Eugene Parsons' Poets of Colorado in The Trail. {Aug. 1919.) 

Bromwell, who was a member of Congress at the time, at- 
tended the burial, being Grand Master, and marched with oth- 
er tnembars of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and many Masonic 
lodgep. 

He left Washington for Illinois several days before, and was 
to have returned eastward to meet the other members of the 
Illinois delegation, and the body, at an intermediate point, and 
join the escort to place of burial. 

Bat, on reaching Springfield, he found the town in great dis- 
tress, the people prostrated with sorrow. Many public officials 
had gone to meet the escort, and no one seemed to have courage 
to begin the work of draping the interior of the Capitol, or of 



RL 



' LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 



the hall where the bier must be erected; he knew that 
this should be prepared in a fine style, and he at once 
found the architect of the State House, and also the art- 
ist George Wrigrht, ( a painter of Lincoln.) and together 
they planned a most beautiful arrangement. 

So, instead of going back, to return with the others, 
Bnmwell stopped in Springfield, working, with the peo- 
ple, day and night, without sleep, and almost without 
food. He cut out all the silver stars which he placed in 
the clouds of black crepe over and about the catafalque, 
hung: the curtains of velvet, and the work was finished 
bat shortly before the sounding whistle of the train her- 
alded the arrival of the escort with the body. 

As they viewed their lovely, harmonious, completed de- 
sign, Brcmwoll, (who knew the General,) suggested that 
they send out for spikes, and fasten the catafalque down 
so the composition could not be changed; this was done, 
and he drove in the first ones, Wright and the others fol- 
lowing, until all were in the floor, six on each side. 

So soon as the body arrived, the General gave a com- 
mand to have the head turned the other way. 

A squad of soldiers moved upon it with gusto, but it 
remained firm, and the General experienced the pain of 
changing his mind. 



62 



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